School capsules

I just wanted to update the Saratoga Springs school vote capsule and add four others. I’ll post more as we finish them, but the bottom line is many schools are proposing massive cuts to balance their 2012-2013 budgets.

In the Saratoga Springs City School District, three persons will run for three school board seats: incumbent Steve Grandin and challengers JoAnne Kiernan and Michael Ladd. The seats carry three-year terms.

Here’s more:

Mechanicville City School District Proposed 2012-13 budget: $20.5 millionSpending change from 2011-12: 1.86 percent increaseHighlights: Cut six teacher positions in elementary education, special education, business, math, guidance counselor, French teacher, the administration position of curriculum coordinator and three CSEA positions.Tax impact: Tax levy increase is 1.22 percent increase.Propositions: Purchase six school buses for $505,000.School board seats: Two candidates – incumbents Joseph Micklas and Joseph Waldron – are running for two available seats.Voting hours and sites: Noon to 9 p.m. May 15 in the high school foyer/gymnasium.

Schuylerville School DistrictProposed 2012-13 budget: $30.97 millionSpending change from 2011-12: Proposes a 2.74 percent tax levy increase.Highlights: Cut a K-6 assistant principal, funding for the equivalent of nine teaching positions (3.5 elementary School classroom/reading teachers, one English, one math, one science, one special education, one music, half art, half physical education); seven non-teaching positions, including six aides; winter junior varsity cheerleading and modified cross country; and more.Tax impact: NA.Propositions: Purchase two 65-passenger buses for $202,000 for .1 percent tax hike for five years; Also, authorize the Schuylerville Public Library to change from a village library to a school district library. It would allow library trustees to come from the school district’s boundaries instead of just Schuylerville’s. The proposition also includes election of six trustees and one write-in candidate.School board seats: Incumbent Jim Burkett and Veronica Wood are running for one board seat, which carries a five-year term.Voting hours and sites: Noon to 9 p.m. May 15 in the elementary school.

Shenendehowa Central Schools Proposed 2012-13 budget: $151.5 millionSpending change from 2011-12: .82 percentHighlights: District officials say they implemented $4.3 million in cost savings. The budget preserves programs and provides new courses in Mandarin for high school students.Tax impact: The average tax rate would increase 1.96 percent. For a property assessed at $250,000, the increase would be about $84.Propositions: Acquire 19 buses for $1,892,323; amounts to a .17 percent tax rate increase.School board seats: Four candidates are running for two seats that carry three-year terms: incumbents William Acker of Rexford and Janet Grey of Clifton Park, and challengers Anthony Morelli of Clifton Park and Robert Pressly of Rexford.Voting hours and sites: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 15 in the Gowana Gym.

Stillwater Central School District Proposed 2012-13 budget: $21,241,738Spending change from 2011-12: A decrease of .31 percentHighlights: Eliminate summer school at the elementary level, shift of university in the High School tuition costs to students enrolled in the program, staffing changes associated with bringing two BOCES special education programs back to the district.Tax impact: Tax levy increase of 3.08 percent. The increase is above the tax levy limit, meaning the budget requires the approval of 60 percent of voters. A property assessed at $100,000 would pay about $32 more a year in taxes under the plan.Propositions: Establish a $100,000 fund to pay for capital projects.School board seats: Newcomer Tim Hems and incumbent Jay Peacock are running for three available seats on the nine-member board. The seats carry three-year terms. The vacant seat could be filled through a write-in vote or by board appointment.Voting hours and sites: Noon to 9 p.m. May 15 in the high school gym.